36 Vegan Labor Day Recipes for the Ultimate Vegan BBQ Party or Potluck

Today I’m sharing a collection of 36 delicious vegan Labor Day recipes that are perfect for all of your summertime entertaining needs. Better yet, this collection includes vegan cookout recipes from every party food “group”, from appetizers and salads to grill-friendly foods and of course, dessert.

Ever found yourself in search of vegan summer recipes when invited to a summertime potluck or a BBQ party? Or planned an all-vegan cookout at your place and searched for vegan barbecue recipes with the goal of impressing both vegan and omnivore friends?

Ever since we moved to Whidbey Island five years ago, my family has been attending monthly vegan potlucks hosted in summer by our friend Jill at the beautiful Someday Vegan Bed and Breakfast.

You’d think that by now I’d have a list of go-to recipes to make whenever the potluck day comes around – yet I still find myself scratching my head about what to make almost every time 🙂

That’s why putting together this list of vegan summer recipes is going to be helpful not just for you, but for me too 🙂

I love the fact that a lot of these recipes don’t require firing up the good ol’ oven or even the stove top. Who wants to do that anyway on a hot summer day?

If you make any of these recipes for an upcoming barbecue party or a potluck, please let me know! Come back here to leave a comment, or give me a shout-out on Instagram at @vegan_runner_eats.

Trying to make being vegan easier both for yourself and your family? Check out my favorite vegan finds on Amazon, from useful cookbooks and vegan pantry staples to kitchen tools, products for vegan kids, etc.!

Just a note: some of the recipes below are from my blog, while others are not. Also, not all of the blogs that provided these recipes are fully vegan, but all of the below recipes are vegan.

36 Vegan Summer Recipes for Barbecue Parties, Cookouts, and Potlucks

They're delicious, they're full of flavor, they're easy to make! These 35 vegan summer recipes are here to help you make the most amazing party-friendly vegan foods for summertime cookouts, barbecue parties, picnics, etc.

Win over both vegans and omnivores by making these vegan barbecue recipes for your Fourth of July cookout, Memorial or Labor Day party, Father's Day grill-out, or any causal outdoor party with family and friends.

Appetizers

Flavorful veggie-based finger foods and fun dips are always a great addition to summertime potlucks and cookouts. These delicious vegan summer appetizer recipes are here to impress both vegans and omnivores.

1

Buffalo-style Grilled Corn on the Cob with Vegan Blue Cheese

Photo Credit: cadryskitchen.com

A well-known summertime cookout classic, corn on the cob is a must-try when it's in season. For this recipe, fresh corn on the cob is grilled, drizzled with buffalo sauce, and then topped with homemade vegan blue cheese sauce.

Vegan Queso Stuffed Mini Peppers

Photo Credit: soupaddict.com

A fun and delicious way to use colorful mini bell peppers is to stuff them with delicious vegan nacho cheese! This creamy, slightly spicy nacho cheese is made with cauliflower rice, raw cashews and salsa, and makes a generous amount to please a crowd.

The Creamiest Instant Pot Hummus

Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

This classic summertime dip is deliciously creamy, and can be made from unsoaked dried chickpeas using an Instant Pot! Okay, you'll need a few other traditional ingredients to finish it up, but you get the picture.

Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Tomatoes (Gluten Free)

Photo Credit: www.spabettie.com

These vegan ricotta-stuffed tomatoes make a yummy and festive appetizer that can be served raw or baked. The mild tofu and cashew-based ricotta is accentuated by the bright and tangy flavors of ripe tomatoes.

Creamy Chipotle Coleslaw

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint

Photo Credit: www.knowyourproduce.com

This refreshing watermelon and cucumber salad makes a perfect side dish for summer entertaining. It can be made sweet by following the recipe directions, or savory with the addition of crumbled vegan feta cheese, fresh greens, and balsamic vinegar.

Vegan Kale Salad with Gluten-free Croutons

Photo Credit: justinecelina.com

This nutrient-rich vegan Caesar salad combines kale, a tahini-based vegan caesar dressing, protein-rich chickpeas, tofu and pepitas, capers and nutritional yeast, and is topped off with gluten-free croutons. A simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that can be prepared in 15 minutes.

Pasta, Potato or Grain-based Salads

Vegan summertime salads are a perfect cookout-friendly vegan dish to introduce skeptical omnivores to flavorful vegan foods. Thankfully, a lot of pasta and grain salads are vegan by default.

These vegan grain, potato, and pasta salad recipes will please your guests with their healthy ingredients and bright flavors.

15

Kid Friendly Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: littlesunnykitchen.com

This healthy kid-friendly vegan pasta salad is packed with veggies that can be steamed or left fresh depending on your kids' preferences. Using fun pasta shapes and a simple dressing makes it even more appealing to the little ones.

Veggie-Loaded Balsamic Pasta Salad (Hot or Cold)

This this delicious yet simple vegan pasta can be served cold as a pasta salad, or hot as a dinner entree. The original version calls for using vegan Italian sausage by Field Roast, but you can keep things gluten-free by omitting the sausage and using gluten-free pasta.

Easy Vegan Potato Salad

This simple vegan potato salad is as easy as it gets! Mix cooked potatoes with a few springtime vegetables, and dress them up with a simple mayo-based dressing. Even the omnivore guests of your potluck or summer party won't be able to tell that this salad is vegan!

Mediterranean Farro Salad Recipe With Champagne Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: www.tastyeverafter.com

Make some room on your plate for this delicious Mediterranean grain salad made with farro - a true nutrition superstar loaded with plant protein, fiber, and nutrients. Artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes add even more yum, while the champagne vinegar-based dressing takes the flavors to the next level.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Photo Credit: midwestfoodieblog.com

This surprisingly quick tabbouleh comes together in about 15 minutes, and uses quinoa in place of the traditionally used bulgur wheat to add nutrition and keep things gluten-free. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors blend.

Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: theliveinkitchen.com

Any pasta salad made with orzo pasta is bound to be elegant yet fun. In this vegan orzo pasta salad, orzo is mixed with a variety of fresh or lightly cooked veggies, and tossed with a simple lemon-Dijon dressing.

Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas

Summer heat calls for lighter potato salads that are made without mayo. Enter this mayo-free vegan potato salad that can be served hot or cold. Spinach, chickpeas and finely chopped bell peppers add nutrition, while fresh rosemary and basil bring out fantastic flavors.

Grilled Green Beans with Cumin and Smoked Paprika

Photo Credit: pinchandswirl.com

Another delightful grilled veggie side dish for your vegan cookout or potluck! Crunchy green beans are tossed in a simple mixture of oil, herbs and spices, then grilled over open fire until gorgeous charred marks appear.

Easy Barbecue Baked Beans

Photo Credit: shaneandsimple.com

No summertime cookout can go on without a generous side of baked beans. These easy barbecue baked beans are rich, smoky, ant totally vegan! To cut a few corners, these beans are meant to be simmered on stovetop for 10-15 minutes, not baked in the oven for hours. Who wants to turn on the oven on a hot summer day anyway?

Grillables

Grill-friendly foods are always the star of any barbecue party. From burgers and hot dogs to delicious glazed tofu and fantastic veggie kabobs, plant-based barbecue recipes are hot right now 🙂

26

Sesame Ginger Grilled Tofu

Photo Credit: veganhuggs.com

Grilled tofu makes a delicious alternative to vegan burgers at a summer cookout party. This recipe takes the flavors to the next level with a zesty ginger glaze that creates nice caramelization during grilling. No outdoor grill - no problem! Use a stovetop grilling pan to make this recipe.

Lentil Carrot Hot Dogs

Photo Credit: veggiedesserts.co.uk

If you're not a fan of store-bought hot dogs, making your own is always an option. These veggie hot dogs are made with lentils, carrots, onions, and a combination of savory spices that give them that classic hot dog aroma and taste. Serve with your favorite condiments for a delicious experience.

Ginger Garlic Teriyaki Mushroom Skewers

Photo Credit: www.platingpixels.com

Mushrooms make a flavorful stand-in for meat in these delicious grilled mushroom skewers. Crimini mushrooms are marinated in a ginger and garlic-spiked teriyaki sauce, then grilled to perfection until gorgeous grill marks appear.

Grilled Eggplant Tahini Satay Kebabs (Gluten-free)

Photo Credit: www.deliciouseveryday.com

A fun twist on the traditional satay recipes: eggplant cubes are marinated in a tahini-based sauce, then grilled to perfection and topped with more sauce before serving. The recipe includes instructions for cooking these both on the grill or stovetop.

Veggie Kabobs with Plum BBQ Sauce

Photo Credit: bowl-me-over.com

The flavorful homemade plum BBQ sauce is the star of this veggie kabob recipe. Vegetables of your choice are grilled with a generous amount of the plum BBQ sauce until beautifully charred, then served with more sauce on the side.

Desserts

Few things make a more refreshing summer treat than delicious vegan ice cream and fruit popsicles. These scrumptious vegan dessert recipes make a great finish to any memorable summertime party.

Prefer fruit to ice cream? Serve it alongside a delicious and healthy chocolate dip, and watch it go fast!

34

Maple Bacon Ice Cream with Bourbon and Walnuts

Photo Credit: www.frieddandelions.com

A decadent vegan take on the fancy bacon ice cream trend: this vegan maple bacon ice cream is a perfect combination of sweet and salty. Bourbon adds a beautiful depth of flavor, and gives you an excuse not to give any of this ice cream to your kids 🙂

Healthy Chocolate Fruit Dip

Photo Credit: wholenewmom.com

A delicious treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings without weighing you down: this healthy chocolate dip is made with creamy avocados and coconut milk, and comes together in about 10 minutes. Dip your favorite fruit, or just eat by the spoonful - I won't tell 🙂

No matter who’s attending your vegan barbecue party, or what kind of summertime cookout you’re heading to, these delicious vegan summer recipes will help you make just what you and your guests are craving.

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About Alina Zavatsky - Vegan Runner Eats

Alina first made a switch to a vegan diet in 2013 to optimize her athletic performance as a marathon runner. Being vegan eventually opened her eyes on the issues of animal welfare, environmental protection, human rights and feminism. Alina hopes that her blog will help its readers on their path to making this world a better place.

Welcome to Vegan Runner Eats! My name is Alina, and my goal is to show you that leading a vegan lifestyle can be easy, healthy and enjoyable. I share delicious plant-based recipes, cooking tips, insights on vegan parenting, traveling, and staying fit as a mom. See the most popular posts from the blog over here.